Humanitarian Conference for Iraq

Humanitarian Conference for Iraq
DD Distributed Aid
by: Erie Sudewo

On 14 November 2007, a humanitarian conference for Iraq was held on in Istambul, Turk. This conference was initiated by IHH, a humanitarian aid agency based in Turk that was established following the fall of Bosnia. There are about 100 participants of the conference from 25 countries. Erie Sudewo as representative of Dompet Dhuafa Republika acted as participant from Indonesia, he is also the member of Wali Amanah DD. There are also some other participants who participated in Food For Iraq in 2003 in Jakarta.

The next day, Thursday, (15/11), in Istambul, another conference, International Al-Quds is held. There are about 5000 participants from worldwide including Indonesia.
The humanitarian conference for Iraq was held in Green Park Hotel Istanbul presented astonishing data. The damages due to armed-forces attacks in 2003 are much more destructive compared to the sanction in 1991. Educational facilities, sanitation and other infrastructure were badly damaged. Life is tough and fearsome. No reporters are allowed to cover. Information on Iraq is buried. Hungers are everywhere in refugee camp. No clues of when the aid would come or what to do.
The future of Iraq is no longer placed on the shoulder of Iraq but on the shoulder of all policy makers in US. Baghdad and other cities are cut. US army blockaded and slowdown anyone movement. There is little hope that aid can be distributed evenly. If not hit by US army bullets, the aid might be stabbed with their knives. Strangely enough, the US NGOs are free to move around.
Iraq does not know where to go. There are 1 million school drop-outs. There is more and more starvation. One out of 8 children died of starvation. Thousands of children died due the expansion of foreign armed forces. Thousand academic practitioners died. Important leaders become killing targets. Iraq is losing their leaders. There are more than 2000 religious leaders are sent to prison.
Civil war broke out. Syiah and Sunni faced each other, no more clarity of the real enemy. Those who have evacuated don’t want to return. There are more than 2 million refugees stuck at the border of Syria, while there are 1 million refugees at Sulaimaniyah, Turk border. UNHCR who deals with cross-country refugees did nothing. They are as confused as UNDP who is not so tough in Aceh. And it’s not because they do not know or don’t want to help.
Iraq was once a prosperous country, now 60% of the populations are poor. It was cruel for Iraq to attack Kuwait. However, it seem that destroying Iraq, making people to starve in refugee camp, or damaging infrastructure and destroying people future, is fine in the order to fight terrorism. It’s beyond imagination the effect of the one policy maker’s decision to attack Iraq. The world is silent seeing the destruction in Iraq as they are wiped out with the issue of terrorism. They are all as silent as when the mass murders in Bosnia happened. What kind of law that we’re talking?
Humanitarian conference for Iraq is mainly meeting among NGOs. It’s not possible for humanitarian aid to stop the destruction in Iraq. Iraq is crushed because of a policy. Therefore, we need another policy to rebuild Iraq. Though rebuilding is much more difficult than destroying.
No participants dared to expose the root cause of the destruction of Iraq. They discussed about the effect and humanitarian acts. It’s not because of unimportance but there is no way to fix damages with charity work. Taufik Ridho did remind all participants that the root cause of these damages is one policy maker’s decision to send in its armed forces to Iraq.
At the end of the conference, DD gave the remaining fund from Indonesian people that were collected in 2003. The handing of the remaining fund of US$17,685 became the climax of the conference. Through Human Relief, DD explained that the fund is to help orphanage and widows in refugee camp. Human Relief is the one who help to have DD and Indonesian Red Cross and Indonesian Humanitarian aid to enter Iraq when it was first attacked in 2003.
After the event, DD was approached by several NGOS to submit their proposals. So, what is the strength of International Meeting and Workshop on Iraq Aid? It is tough. Moslem fight is, indeed, tough. Selengkapnya...

Lapindo Mud

It’s Time to Speak
by: Arsa Wening

Hundreds-years-civilization vanished by mud that was spitted out from earth. Lack of technology knowledge, PT Lapindo is held responsible for the mud disaster in Sidoarjo, in late 2006. The disaster is later known as Lapindo Mud.

There is no clear solution; Thousands of Lapindo mud victims are displaced. This might be one of disaster that did not invite humanitarian aid in the history of mankind. Humanitarian aid agency feels doubt. Even if they help, they feel awkward. They are afraid that their mission might be trapped into the conflict. They’re afraid to be said as pro Lapinod or Pro government. The humanitarian agencies are like in the crossroad.

It is not easy to help. The condition is very complicated. If the aid is not distributed evenly, it would create conflict. Aside from those facts, emotion cannot be restrained. All doubts have to be clear out. Our conscious must be present to give helping hands for the hurt victims of Lapindo Mud.

Lapindo victims are waiting. Not sure when. While waiting, life must go on. If not, then we will witness a lost generation. If Lapindo fail to keep their promise or our government is not committed to help then one civilization will become homeless.

It’s started with the humanitarian consciousness; DD sent their humanitarian team on Monday, 2 July 2007. At the same time DD helped the logistic of Lapindo victims who came to post an act of protest in Jakarta. Despite its limited actions, DD once helped for a month in Pasar Baru refugee camp. DD took the children of mud victims for a picnic at the zoo.

In support for the economy, DD selected 20 families, RT 7 and RT 8, RW2 of Desa Kedung Bendo Kecamatan Tanggulangin and provided them with business capital. They are part of Wallet and leather bags craftsman of Tanggulangin who have established a unit of cooperative ISM Duta Rana Mandiri. A syariah micro institution that was facilitated by Masyarakat Mandiri – DD.

Selengkapnya...

Lapindo Mud

It’s Time to Speak
by: Arsa Wening

Hundreds-years-civilization vanished by mud that was spitted out from earth. Lack of technology knowledge, PT Lapindo is held responsible for the mud disaster in Sidoarjo, in late 2006. The disaster is later known as Lapindo Mud.

There is no clear solution; Thousands of Lapindo mud victims are displaced. This might be one of disaster that did not invite humanitarian aid in the history of mankind. Humanitarian aid agency feels doubt. Even if they help, they feel awkward. They are afraid that their mission might be trapped into the conflict. They’re afraid to be said as pro Lapinod or Pro government. The humanitarian agencies are like in the crossroad.

It is not easy to help. The condition is very complicated. If the aid is not distributed evenly, it would create conflict. Aside from those facts, emotion cannot be restrained. All doubts have to be clear out. Our conscious must be present to give helping hands for the hurt victims of Lapindo Mud.

Lapindo victims are waiting. Not sure when. While waiting, life must go on. If not, then we will witness a lost generation. If Lapindo fail to keep their promise or our government is not committed to help then one civilization will become homeless.

It’s started with the humanitarian consciousness; DD sent their humanitarian team on Monday, 2 July 2007. At the same time DD helped the logistic of Lapindo victims who came to post an act of protest in Jakarta. Despite its limited actions, DD once helped for a month in Pasar Baru refugee camp. DD took the children of mud victims for a picnic at the zoo.

In support for the economy, DD selected 20 families, RT 7 and RT 8, RW2 of Desa Kedung Bendo Kecamatan Tanggulangin and provided them with business capital. They are part of Wallet and leather bags craftsman of Tanggulangin who have established a unit of cooperative ISM Duta Rana Mandiri. A syariah micro institution that was facilitated by Masyarakat Mandiri – DD. Selengkapnya...

Bengkulu Earthquake Quick Recovery

by: Sunaryo Adhiatmoko

A 7.8 Richter scale earthquake hit Bengkulu on Wednesday, 12 September 2007. It damaged thousands of houses. Two days after the earthquake, DD managed to reach the location to perform humanity aid including housing recovery.

While waiting for government aid, the victims of Penyangkak village, Kota Agung, North Bengkulu no longer lived in tent. They have done house recovery faster than after earthquake in 2000. They were able to complete 70 houses made of zinc plate roof, wooden foundation and wooden wall within 10 days.

According to Head of Village of Dusun Penyangkak, Hamdan AR, housing recovery acceleration is initiated by Dompet Dhuafa. After 12 days post earthquake, Dompet Dhuafa established Emergency Housing program. Prior to this program, DD sent medical and logistical aid together with voluntary doctors, nurses and ambulance from Jakarta.

“We are very touched. Aid came so fast and we can leave the tent” said Hamdan in between his work building the houses. The success of housing recovery is all because of serious facilitation from DD.

“We can’t thank you enough. DD has been so kind to guide us to crawl out from this disaster. During the 2000 earthquake, we stayed in tent for 3 months”, said the village head, who is now fighting to have his area to become a village.
Field observation result showed that Dusun Penyangkak is quite fenomenal. When other affected areas still struggling with logistic, this small village has managed to be independent. The people seemed to be unified to fight for their lives.

Meanwhile, the head of Kota Agung Village, Gulam Wahyudi cannot hide his emotion to see his village independence. He said that Dusun Penyangkak is the worst affected area.

“Thank you to Dompet Dhuafa who is willing to stay with my people, to guide and to provide real support. I also hope this program can be implemented in other villages. And hopefully other humanitarian institution can do similar program like Dompet Dhuafa.” Gulam Wahyudi said.


Community-based
The chairman of Dompet Dhuafa commented about the acceleration of housing recovery “Our experience in dealing with disaster has required us to think creatively on how we can implement acceleration program as soon as possible. We try to find any possible strength post earthquake that can be used, and we designed it for the people. So, we are not doing it alone but together with the people.” Said Rahmad.

Rahmad Riyadi explained that, the earthquake damaged the houses leaving ruins, roof and woods. Rather than having to stay in tents for 5 months, we better use the ruins as living quarters. And to make this program successful, volunteer have to give their best.

“The most important thing in post earthquake is to strengthen the community. We have to communicate frequently to find possible solution together. That’s what volunteers from Dompet Dhuafa did on the field. That way, we could know what they need and what tey want. That’s how the recovery acceleration worked in Penyangkak”, explained Rahmad Riyadi who stayed there with the victims on 3rd day post earthquake.

Rahmad also explained that the important message from all of this is that the recovery acceleration in Penyangkak is the unity and togetherness of the people. All problems are discussed together so that there is no envy or jealousy. This is where humanitarian agency plays its role as mediator among victims and government. According to Rahmad, despite the scale of disaster, all elements involved should be directed to peaceful and calm conditions.
It is not ideal, however it is a learning process and what Dompet Dhuafa did in Penyangkak village have fulfilled the requirements.

Aside from housing and economical recovery, DD rebuilt Nurul Ikhsan Mosque, which was damaged by the earthquake, with the financial support from PT Arutmin. This is a community-based mosque, with10X12m wide and artistically designed. It will be a transit mosque as it is located in the way between province that connect Bengkulu to West Sumatra. Selengkapnya...

Earthquake in Ranah Minang

Recovery through Cultural Approach by: Arsa Wening

A strong earthquake hit West Sumatra on Tuesday, 6 March 2007. A day post earthquake, DD supported by Singgalang Newspaper – one of the largest newspaper in West Sumatra – did a quick-act programs that included logistic and medical aid. At the same time, DD in synergy with BAZNAS also accelerate the mental recovery of the children victims through the establishment of 9 semi permanent schools and Fun schools.

The construction of the schools were done in two days-one-night in 9 locations. SDN 02 Sumani Tangjung Bingkung Kubung Solok, SDN 31 X Koto Singkarak Solok, SDN 12 Batang Slasiah Bukit Batabuah Candung Agama, SDN 17 Gobah Bukit Batabuah Candung Agama, SDN 39 Baing Malalo Batipuh Selatan Tanah datar, SDN 24 Gantiang X Koto Singgalang Tanah datar, SDN 36 Baringin Singgalang Tanah datar, dan SDN 09 Lawang Mandahiling Slimpaung Tanah datar.

The wooden-constructed-schools received appreciation from the Governor of West Sumatra, Gamawan Fauzi. Tanah Datar is one of the areas that was badly hit by the earthquake. The local government office met with DD and said that they are interested to use the school model as solution to their damaged schools.

As part of the recovery programs, DD in collaboration with the Government of Tanah Datar, on Saturday, 24 March 2007, held a cultural appreciation with the name of “The Strong Ranah Minang”. It was held in front of the Basa Pagaruyung Palace on Jalan Sutan Alam Bagargashay Nagari Pagaryung, Kecamatan Tanjung Emas, Tanah Datar.

One of the cultural appreciations was to have 1000 children from elementary school to participate in Basa Pagaruyung Palace drawing competition and Art performance Saluang. They are all elementary students from Tanah Datar Municipality. This activity is meant as tourism-based trauma counseling for children and people earthquake victims.

There are many attended the event including representative from West Sumatra governor, Tanah Datar Head of Municipality, DD Chairman, celebrities and board of directors of Singgalang Newspaper. In his opening speech, Rahmad Riyadi said that , Istano Baso is more than just a tourism object.

“In the heart of urang awak, the existence of Istano Basa is the unifying symbol, history and glory of a country. MInangkabau is an important part of Indonesia’s culture and one of world heritage. Even though we can only see the remains of the palace, let use the momentum to rebuild Istano Basa and to revitalize ethnical value and Minangkabau culture. This is the momentum to “mambangkik batang tarandam”.

DD synergized with Singgalang Newspaper to ensure the sustainability of the program, by establishing Dompet Dhuafa Singgalang. It has been working well till now. Its establishment is also supported by West Sumatra people as said by Gamawan Fauzi, Governor of West Sumatra.

Its launching and signing of memorandum between DDR and DDS was held in Rattan Room, Singgalang Newspaper, on Wednesday, 18 July 2007 by Chairman of DDR, Rahmad Riyadi and Chairman of Singgalang Newspaper, Basril Djabar. Gamawan Fauzi, Governor of West Sumatra and Editor of Singgalang Newspaper, other leaders of West Sumatra also attended the event. Selengkapnya...

House of Child’s Friend

To Provide Poor Children a Place to Learn and Play
by: Arsa Wening

Lack of space for children to learn and play in the Capital city is no longer worrisome for children of poor community in Kampung Kalimati, Rawaterate, Cakung, East Jakarta. Since February 2007, they have a place to learn and play. The green-painted-two-stories house is named House of Child’s friend.

The facilitation program for children in poor community in our Capital city is one of Dompet Dhuafa non-formal education programs. Dompet Dhuafa has appointed Sanggar Puspita to run the program operational.

House of child’s friend is a shelter for poor children who stay in slump and crowded areas. The house that was designed with fun theme is to be used as non-formal educational facility. It is equipped with learning facilities such as computers, sewing machines, embroidery machines, TV and study desks.

More than 200 children who study in this place are uneducated children and school drop-outs. One touching scene was when Rina (14) who never went to school managed to create bulletin cover with Photoshop program. And she seemed very skilled in designing the layout.

“Prior the house is established, I usually help my parents and make clothes for my Barbie doll. I always dreamed to play with computer and now my dream came true. I can even create designs”, said Rina.

“Even though I don’t go to school like other children, but I am sure, I can be successful one day.” Said the daughter of Mutiati and Mulyadi from Kediri, east Java, confidently.

Since the house is opened, according to Sahrozi, the head of the Sanggar Puspita, computer learning is the most favorite among children. Therefore, Sahrozi, limit the participants of computer learning program for children of 11 to 18 years old.

Other programs in the house are English Course, Theater, Music, dancing and photography. Sahrozi hopes that this simple house could be the place for poor children to design their better future even though without proper education. Selengkapnya...

Entering upon Troublesome Years

by: Sunaryo Adhiatmoko

Jared Diamond, an evolutionary biologist, in his book entitled ‘’Collapse’’ (2005), includes Indonesia as one country with potential to be among the failure state. That is, as stated by Stoddard (2000), a state which is not able to fulfil their people’s basic needs adequately.

According to Diamond, indications of the failure state among other are: damaged ecological order directly causing impacts for flood and drought, global heating due to greenhouse effect, inharmonious bilateral or multilateral relation with neighboring countries, fragile social design, bad problem solving through legal, political, economical frameworks, and the weak trust and support for the legitimate government, mainly from the economical actors.

Hundreds million of the weak and weakened people (mustadh’afin), entered the year 2006 with increasingly bent back. Burdened with rocketing increase of oil prices twice, during the year 2005 (March and October) with its domino effects’.

The nature showed its anger through disaster by disaster as if she wished to cry the sorrow of mustadh’afin. Among those disaster the biggest one are : January 2nd : Flood struck Panti, Jember, East Java; January, 4rd: Lanslide flushed Sijeruk, Banjarmangu, Banjarnegara, Middle Java ; January 21st: Flood immersed Sambelia, East Lombok; January 24rd: Flood raged in Galengdowo (Jombang), Medowo (Kediri), and Wonoagung (Malang); 27 January: Flood sank Semarang City; 14 February: Flood hit Tanawangko, Minahasa; 21 February: Landslide buried Ranomuut, Manado; 25 February: Flood crushed Kudus, Middle Java ; 6 April: Flood beat Bima District, NTB; 20 April: Flood and landslide encircled Trenggalek, East Java; 14 May: Merapi Volcano exploded; 27 May: Earthquakes shaked Yogyakarta and Middle Java; 29 May: Hot mud began flooding Sidorajo Jatim that is still out of control till now; 20 June: Flood and landslide buried Sinjai, Bulukumba, Bantaeng, Jeneponto, South Sulawesi ; 17 July: Earthquake and tsunami struck the sourthern parts of Java Island; 20-25 June: Flood and landslide appeared in Tanah Laut, Kotabaru, Tanah Bumbu, South Kalimantan .

The year of 2006 closed, and the year of 2007 opened, with simultaneous accidents in lands, seas and air. Flood in Aceh Tamiang took the lifes of 81 people; Earthquake and landslide in Muara Sipongi, North Sumatera, killed 33 people; Landslide in Koto Baru, Solok caused 18 people died; The sink of Nusantara Ship in Jepara Sea made its 400 passengers lost; The lost of Boeing 737-400 aircraft owned by Adam Air caused 102 of its passengers and crews got lost; More than 100 thousand our pilgrimage to Mecca went hungry in Arafah due to mismanagement in catering services.

Observing disasters in Indonesia, Andre Vitchek, a novelist and senior fellow in Oakland Institute, United States, wrote a long essay appeared in two international newspapers, The International Herald Tribune and The Financial Times 12 February 2007. The title of the article was terrifying : "Indonesia: Natural Disasters or Mass Murder".

The crucial point, according to Vitchek, was that the various disasters occured in Indonesia, could surely be prevented. Or at least, the impacts could be minimized. But in his eyes such preventive efforts were not undertaken. Even, he says, there was negligent attitude towards dangerous potentials.

Oh Lord, all this reminds us to the message of your Prophet in one tradition related by Abdullah bin Umar ra: ‘’Oh people belong to flight from Mecca to Medina, there are five five from which I take refugee from Allah in order that you would not see them: not widespread adulteration among a group of people untill they do it openly, so that they would inevetably suffer from epidemy of varius diseases and starvation that never afflicts people before them; not a group of people reduce measurement, certainly they would be struck by famine, food shortage, and cruel authority; not a group of people reluctantly pay zakat – religious tax – out of their wealth, there must be no rain from the sky, if not olny because of animal, the rain would never be poured; not a group of people break their promises, Allah in certainty would make them under control of their enemies, who would rob their wealth grasped in their hands. And, as long as their leader do not enforce Allah’s laws and partially choose what Allah sent in His Book, Allah certainly would bring about violence among them." (HR. Ibnu Majah dan Hakim). Selengkapnya...